yes, i did

rip out my icarus shawl. i realized after months of it sitting there that I would never finish it. lace that intricate takes long periods of time sitting quietly and just counting and knitting. those of you who know me probably can guess the probability of this happening for me on an extended basis. so i frogged it. I am going to use the yarn however to knit the "whisper cardigan" form the newest edition of interweave knits.

i also have been on a knitting hiatus, and i think it's because i haven't knit enough stuff for myself lately, and so have not enjoyed any of the fruits of my labor to keep me motivated. is that horrible?

so for now i am going to knit just for matthew and i for a stretch. this will be put to the test with an upcoming baby shower.

monkey see, monkey do

i finished my monkey socks this afternoon, grafting the toe on the second sock while i was having a latte with my good friend jackie. jackie is the kind of friend every knitter dreams of having, in that while she is telling you a story and you begin grafting a toe, she understands you are listening. jackie is the kind of friend who understands my multi-tasking personality and i am blessed to have her in my life.

i was just about to blog about my friend angie and how i was looking forward to meeting her for knitting on saturday. while i was typing her name she called to say she was fighting a cold. so everyone pray for angie to get better so i can knit with her.

knitting with a vengeance

here is my nolan scarf knit from the "cashmere for him" kit by jade sapphire. it was a delight to knit, and i seriously could become addicted to knitting with cashmere. i seem to be on some kind of knitting frenzy however, because the monkey socks i began last week are almost finished. i have two 11 row repeats to finish and then i begin toe decreases!

i met angie this saturday at the yarn shop again, and picked up two skeins of malabrigo worsted in "forest". i am going to use these to knit another alligator scarf, this time for one of my nephews. my nephew totally deserves malabrigo, because at the age of three he asked for hand knit socks for christmas...... truly a knitting aunties dream come true.

i decided to make a new years resolution for better health this year (like millions of other americans) and so have dug my gym membership card out of hibernation. this morning matthew and i attended an aerobics class called "boot camp". it kicked my bootie for sure. toward the end of the class i felt like i was pretty much just flailing around more than following the routine. however, i feel fabulous. after only a few days of eating more sensibly and exercising i feel a return of energy. this is a good contrast to the tiredness and constant grogginess i was feeling during the holidays. gee imagine that, if i eat well and exercise i feel better, novel idea huh?

home from the holidays

i love going to other cities and checking out new yarn stores, and since i did not knit when i lived in the midwest every time i visit it's like a new adventure.  this trip to matthew's hometown of madison, wisconsin was no exception.  i had thirty dollars to spend and i wanted something i couldn't find at home.  i hit the jackpot when i checked out a yarn store i had never been to that another knitter at another yarn store recommended (this is when you start whispering in hushed tones in yarn stores).  the shop is located right outside madison in the town of verona and is called the sow's ear.  it is lovely.  it is a coffee shop and yarn store combined, which to me is the golden ticket.  they brew good coffee and have great pastry.  i got the necklace pictured above for only ten dollars, and i was told it is made by a local artist.  i also got this yarn:  

a ball of araucania ranco multi, a fingering weight yarn with which i am knitting myself a pair of socks.  i had to buy the yarn because i finished knitting the cashmere scarf on the trip and needed something new to knit.  pictures of the scarf are forthcoming.....

all in all it was a good christmas.

merry christmas to me

i met with angie on saturday to knit and catch up.  she surprised me with a christmas present!  a copy of the yarn harlot's new book "free range knitter".  thanks angie!  it was a treat, and i have enjoyed reading it.

in other news, matthew and i leave for wisconsin to spend the holidays with his family.  we are driving, which to most people sounds awful, but we love road trips.  i will post as i am able while on the road, but not too optimistic that it will actually happen!

i elfed myself

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new yarn

my lys knitter's kove,  has started carrying malabrigo and i couldn't be happier. i bought this ball to celebrate:

i am going to knit it into thorpe, a simple yet beautiful earflap hat pattern.  i am making it for one of the boys in the neighborhood who recently shaved his head and now needs something to keep his poor head warm.

while i was sick last week a nice suprise came for me in the mail from jen.  it had this:

and these:

the yarn jen got for me at the rhinebeck sheep and wool festival.  i love the colors, as jen knew i would and i cannot wait to knit something out of it.  i am going to wait a bit so i have time to think about it and find the perfect pattern for this super bulky wool.  any ideas?